School Concerts

Our 1-hr school concert program is a fun and educational introduction to brass instruments. Students will receive an up-close-and-personal experience where they can hear the brass ensemble, learn about each instrument, learn about brass history, and ask questions. We customize the program to fit the age of the students, their interests, and the curriculum of the school music program. Music directors can choose from any elements of the Sample Programs below.

Sample Program for Middle/Upper School (45min)
Introductory piece - a short 2min piece to introduce students to the sound of brass. 
Examples:

Demonstration and explanation of each instrument - Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Tuba

History of brass instruments - discussion and demonstration of precursors to modern brass instruments: conch shell, ram's horn (shofar), bulls horn, early trumpet (no valves), bugle

​Demonstration & performance of different music styles - early music (chant), renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic, modern, jazz, swing, pop.
​Examples:

​Demonstration/discussion of music theory concepts - unison & harmony, consonance & dissonance, counterpoint & parallel motion, intonation, chord inversions, voice leading, voice spacing, transcriptions, improvisation.

Sample Program for Kindergarten-3rd Grade (45min)
I - Listening quietly.
Example:

​II - Listening while dancing.
A variety of shorter works so that the children can move in different ways according to the music. 
​Example:

​III - Listening while drawing.
A longer (approx. 6 minutes) work for the children to interpret with crayon and paper.
Examples:

• Brandenburg Concerto #2 Mvt 1
• Gymnopedie #1 - Satie
• Flower Duet - Delibes
• If Ye Love Me - Thomas Tallis

IV - Listening and then discussing.
A few contrasting shorter works.  We play one and then have a short discussion, and then move to the next.
​Examples:

• Little Fugue in G Minor - Bach
• "One Hand One Heart" from West Side Story
• Minnie The Moocher - Cab Calloway
• Water Music - Handel